Zappos.com is targeting trendy consumers with an iPad mobile shopping application designed specifically for the tablet’s unique functions.

The application takes advantage of the iPad’s gestures, rotational screens and its pinch zoom functionality. The application is available for free at Apple’s App Store.

“Our goal with our very first app was to create a clean and simple, core shopping experience unique to the iPad and representative of the Zappos.com brand,” said Ian Klassen, mobile program manager at Zappos.com, Las Vegas.

“After a couple starts in a couple directions and a great deal of input and exploration, going with the iPad first made sense for us – there aren’t that many iPad shopping applications out there yet,” he said. “Doing it before we have any other kind of mobile app is a little different than how most companies are approaching mobile – we like being different when it makes good sense.

“Of the iPad apps that are out there, we truly believe we can create something that not only the app critics will be impressed by, but something that people with feet and torsos – our customers – will really make use of, in engaging with our brand.”

Zappos.com is a online destination for apparel and footwear.

Let’s get some shoes
Consumers can browse products in both the portrait and landscape layouts.

Customers can shop by categories, including shoes, clothing, beauty, bags and handbags, accessories, housewares, new products and gift cards.

In addition, customers have full access to their existing account information including stored payment types, shipping addresses, favorites and order history.

“As much as we’d love to join the happiness bus on a nationwide tour to spread the word, we’ve been a little more reliant on word of mouth, a couple press releases and blog posts, and I hear [Zappos CEO] Tony Hsieh is going to do a Twitter post about it,” said Jaimee Newberry, product manager and user interface designer at Zappos.com, Las Vegas.

“We’re in-progress on iPhone and Android, targeting to have those both out in early December,” she said.

The Zappos iPad application

Shop till you drop
Consumers can browse products, read reviews, product details and information about the brand.

Additionally, customers can add products to their favorites list and add it to their shopping cart.

Zappos is also considering developing an iPad application for its other Web site, Zappos Couture.

“It’s definitely on our radar,” Ms. Newberry said. “[We’re working on the] iPhone and Android app before year’s end.

“We have other things baking, but we’re not quite ready to share yet,” she said.